Planning a Trip

Getting There

By Car -- The most direct route to Steamboat Springs from Denver is via I-70 west 68 miles to Silverthorne, Colo. 9 north 38 miles to Kremmling, and U.S. 40 west 52 miles to Steamboat. (Note: Rabbit Ears Pass, 25 miles east of Steamboat, can be treacherous in winter.) If you're traveling east on I-70, exit at Rifle, proceed 88 miles north on Colo. 13 to Craig, then take U.S. 40 east 42 miles to Steamboat. For statewide road condition reports, call tel. 303/639-1111.

By Plane -- The Yampa Valley Regional Airport, 22 miles west of Steamboat Springs near Hayden (tel. 970/276-3669; www.co.routt.co.us), is served by United Airlines (tel. 800/864-8331) with year-round commuter service from Denver and Continental Airlines (tel. 800/525-0280) with summer service to Houston. During the winter, direct flights to major U.S. cities are available from United and Continental , plus American Airlines (tel. 800/433-7300), Delta Airlines (tel. 800/221-1212), and Northwest Airlines (tel. 800/225-2525). Delta also offers service in the fall.

Ground transportation from Yampa Valley Regional Airport is provided by Alpine Taxi (tel. 800/343-7433 or 970/879-2800; www.alpinetaxi.com); the cost is $48 per adult, $24 per child round-trip. The company also offers shuttle service between Steamboat and Denver International Airport. Car-rental agencies at the airport include Avis (tel. 970/276-4377) and Hertz (tel. 970/276-3304).

Visitor Information

The Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association, 1255 S. Lincoln Ave. (P.O. Box 774408), Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 (tel. 970/879-0880; www.steamboatchamber.com and www.steamboatsummer.com), operates a visitor center, open in summer from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday and from 10am to 4pm Saturday.

Getting Around

There are really two Steamboats. The ski resort, known as Steamboat Village, is about 2 miles southeast of the historic Steamboat Springs. If you're coming from Denver, U.S. 40 approaches Steamboat from the south and parallels the Yampa River through town. Mount Werner Road, which turns east off U.S. 40, leads directly to the ski resort, centered on Mount Werner Circle and Ski Time Square. U.S. 40 is known as Lincoln Avenue through the town of Steamboat, where it is crossed by 3rd through 13th streets. Steamboat Springs Transit (tel. 970/879-3717) provides free rides throughout the area. Buses run approximately every 20 to 30 minutes during peak hours; less frequently at other times. Alpine Taxi provides local taxi service.

Fast Facts

The Yampa Valley Medical Center, 1024 Central Park Dr. (tel. 970/879-1322; www.yvmc.org), provides 24-hour medical service, a child-care center, and a sports medicine center. The post office is at 200 Lincoln Ave. For hours and other information contact the U.S. Postal Service (tel. 800/275-8777; www.usps.com).

Special Events

Winter Carnival, early February; Steamboat Marathon, early June; Cowboy Roundup Days, Fourth of July weekend; Fall Foliage and Brew Festival, mid-September.